The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-06-02
KmRORIA, KANSAS.
one Of the Growing CItIes OTIhe Great


We copy from Frank Leslie's Illus
trated Newspaper of May 18th, the fol-
lowing well written article showing the
advantages Of Emporia:
The unparalleled growth of Kansas
IN population and material wealth dur
ing the past decade has challenged the
wonder and admiration of the Ameri-
can people, and the state stand to-day
as the grandest monument Of enterprise
is the history of the progressive civiliza-
ton Of modern times. The traveller,
attracted to its borders by the faScina-
ting story OF the phenomenal develop
ment of its resources, cOntemplateS,
with delightful surprise, the fiOurishing
and handsome towns and cities which
dot the lines of the great commerce al
thoroughfares by which the state is
traverSed in all directions, and as he
gazes upon the busy centers through
which he Is borne, he pauses to ask by
what mighty magic these pOpulous and
thrifty municipalities have risen, and
by virtue Of what alchemy they expand
with such raPtdity into metropolitan
proportions.
or all towns in Kansas which have
thus exhibited a marvellous growth,
none have commanded a more gener-
GUS share of admiration than the beau
tiful City of Emporia, which has just
entered upon new era of prosperity,
induced by the assured construction of
two new railroads, and many other i'm
Provements of substantial and valu-
able character. The beauty of the
place has long been a subject of glow
ing comment. Located on a sunny and
slightly stretch of rolling prairie, near
the confluence OF the Neosho and Cot
tonwood Rivers, it enjoys the advant-
ages of perfect drainage, and abundant
water supply for manufacturing and
other purposes, and situation that
cannot be rivaled for purity and health
fulness of climate. 1t is the natural
commercial center for a fruitful and
well-settled country, reaching out in all
directions for distance of thirty miles,
the nearest town on the east of
any considerable size being Topeka,
which is sixty miles removed, while
Wichita, which is nearly one hundred
miles southwest, is the only competitor
which 1t can encounter in that direc-
ton. 1t will thus be seen that there is
tributary to EmpOria a vast territory,
which has been largely subjugated by
the tillers of the soil to the uses of
commerce and the support of a rapidly
growing population.
In the direction of superior facilities
Tor transportation, EmpOria possesses
advantages which can be claimed by
but few towns in the state. 1t secured,
many years ago, the Kansas s. Texas
division of the Missouri Pacific; and,
as the centre OF the Atchison, Topeka
q Santa Fe Railway system in Kansas,
1t Is division headquarters for the main
line from Kansas City and Atchison
via Topeka; OF the line from Kansas
City via Ottawa; of the line south via
Eureka aud Howard, and the new
southwest line via Arkansas City to
Galveston, Texas. In addition to
these lines, which are already con-
structed; bonds have been recently
voted to aid in the construc-
ton of the Missouri, Kansas and
Southwestern, and the Emporia, Win
field and Fort Smith, both of which are
to be completed within one year from
January LIST, 1888. Other powerful rail-
road corporations are looking towards
EmpOria, and it is not too much to as
sumo that this inviting centre will be
seriously considered in connection with
the future plans of the st.. Louis and
San Francisco, the Chicago, Rock
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Roads.
The recent selection of Emporia by
the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Company as the feeding and distrib-
uting station for the Texas cattle
trade will make it the leading live
stock market of the state, and attests
its claims as a superior railroad centre
is notably among the cities of Kansas.
1t is the seat of the State Normal
School, which has an enrolment of
1000 students and which is mainly sup
ported by the revenue issuing from the
conversion into money of lands by
which the institution was endowed by
the state. The building, a graceful
and imposing structure, stands at the
head OF the principal business street of
the city, and is an object of unfailing
interest to strangers visiting the town. |
1t annually sends forth scores of
teachers to all sections of Kansas, and
its agency in elevating the standard of
intelligence is recognized on all hands.
The school will be enlarged this sum-
mer by an additional wing, the cost of
which-S25, OO0-has been provided by
legislative appropriation.
The College of Emporia was erected
three years ago at a cost of $40, 900. 1t
was established by the Presbyterian
Synod of Kansas, and has received lib
eral aid from the East and other sec
tions. The College is located about a
ing elevation, which reveals to superla-
tive advantage the striking architectu-
raj beauty of the structure.
The course of instruction in the
graded schools of Emporia is liberal
and progressive, and the useful and
practical character of the knowledge
impaired cannot be too highly COM
mended.
The entire absence Of drinking-sa-
looms in Emporia and the flourishing
condition of the churches speak for the
high moral tone which pervadeS the
community. The people have built
and paid for five handsome church edi-
fees in as many years, and are prepar-
ing to extend work in this line. The
-. ~ +.
fiuence in the conservation of public
morals, and the town supports one
morning and two evening daily news
papers.
In all of the appliances which apper-
tain to the comfort of living, Emporia
takes advanced rank among the cities
OF the West which offer special incen-
tives to immigration. Her commodious
and well-Ordered hotels, her mag
nificent water works system, her street,
car lines, her gas and electric lights,
her public library, her handsome places
of amusement, and her beautiful
homes, all impress the visitor with the
desirability of the town as place of
residence.
Compared with values in vast ma
jority of Kansas towns, property in and
around EmpOria is singularly cheap,
aud though the place now holds pop
ulation Of 1900 souls, and possesses
all the elements of rapid and substan-
tial growth, the prices of real estate are
such as to offer absolutely safe and
profitable opportunities for Investment.
The boom at this place is founded
upon the secure rock of intrinsic val
ues, and every venture must prosper
which is made in the face of this i'm
portant consideration.
SUPERINTENDENT
Resolutions Adopted by the County SUI